37 research outputs found

    Formation and interactions of cold and ultracold molecules: new challenges for interdisciplinary physics

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    Progress on researches in the field of molecules at cold and ultracold temperatures is reported in this review. It covers extensively the experimental methods to produce, detect and characterize cold and ultracold molecules including association of ultracold atoms, deceleration by external fields and kinematic cooling. Confinement of molecules in different kinds of traps is also discussed. The basic theoretical issues related to the knowledge of the molecular structure, the atom-molecule and molecule-molecule mutual interactions, and to their possible manipulation and control with external fields, are reviewed. A short discussion on the broad area of applications completes the review.Comment: to appear in Reports on Progress in Physic

    First description of a fossil chamaeleonid from Greece and its relevance for the European biogeographic history of the group

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    The fossil record of Chamaeleonidae is very scarce and any new specimen is therefore considered important for our understanding of the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the group. New specimens from the early Miocene of Aliveri (Evia Island), Greece constitute the only fossils of these lizards from southeastern Europe. Skull roofing material is tentatively attributed to the Czech species Chamaeleo cf. andrusovi, revealing a range extension for this taxon, whereas tooth-bearing elements are described as indeterminate chamaeleonids. The Aliveri fossils rank well among the oldest known reptiles from Greece, provide evidence for the dispersal routes of chameleons out of Africa towards the European continent and, additionally, imply strong affinities with coeval chamaeleonids from Central Europe

    Wheat receptor-kinase-like protein Stb6 controls gene-for-gene resistance to fungal pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici

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    Deployment of fast-evolving disease-resistance genes is one of the most successful strategies used by plants to fend off pathogens. In gene-for-gene relationships, most cloned disease-resistance genes encode intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich-repeat proteins (NLRs) recognizing pathogensecreted isolate-specific avirulence (Avr) effectors delivered to the host cytoplasm. This process often triggers a localized hypersensitive response, which halts further disease development. Here we report the map-based cloning of the wheat Stb6 gene and demonstrate that it encodes a conserved wallassociated receptor kinase (WAK)-like protein, which detects the presence of a matching apoplastic effector and confers pathogen resistance without a hypersensitive response. This report demonstrates gene-for-gene disease resistance controlled by this class of proteins in plants. Moreover, Stb6 is, to our knowledge, the first cloned gene specifying resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici, an important foliar fungal pathogen affecting wheat and causing economically damaging septoria tritici blotch (STB) disease

    The treatment of refractory ulcerative colitis

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    Ulcerative proctitis is defined as a mucosal inflammation limited to the rectum. Ulcerative proctitis is responsible for distressing symptoms and alteration of patient quality of life. Effective treatment is important to prevent or delay proximal extension of the disease and to improve quality of life. Refractory ulcerative proctitis is defined as the failure of topical and oral 5-aminosalicylic acid and corticosteroids. Medical management of refractory ulcerative proctitis may be challenging as there is little evidence regarding drug efficacy in this clinical situation. Data are currently available for azathioprine, topical tacrolimus and anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies as rescue treatment for refractory ulcerative proctitis. Other biologics may be of benefit despite a lack of dedicated clinical trials. Ultimately, experimental therapies such as epidermal growth factor enemas, appendectomy or fecal transplantation may be tried before restorative proctocolectomy with J pouch anastomosis, which has demonstrated good results with regards to clinical remission and quality of life. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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